Getting there
- Flights to Las Vegas (LAS) 275 km from the start
- Flights to Phoenix (PHX) 290 km from the start
Treks / USA (Arizona)
Grand Canyon Rim to Rim
USA (Arizona) · Nearest city: Phoenix (also Las Vegas, Flagstaff)
TypeMulti-day trek
Days2–3
Distance≈ 39 km
Climbing≈ 1,450 m
Highest point2,512 m
Down the North Kaibab Trail to the Colorado River and up the Bright Angel Trail to the South Rim: a walk through two billion years of rock.
Fitness
Hard
Best seasonMay to October (North Rim open)
High pointNorth Rim
Watch out: Summer heat at the bottom is dangerous. Hike early and late, and never try to go down and back up in one day in summer.
Why people choose it
It crosses the Grand Canyon from one rim to the other, through two billion years of geology.
What makes it different
- Cross the canyon on foot
- Phantom Ranch at the bottom
- Down first, then a big climb out
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
Roaming in USA is expensive on most phone plans. A data eSIM bought before you fly gets you online as soon as you land.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
This trek reaches 2,512 m, and many policies stop covering hiking at 2,000 to 3,000 m unless you add an activity upgrade. World Nomads needs its Level 3 activities above 2,000 m, Heymondo its Adventure add-on above 3,000 m, and SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance covers trekking up to 4,500 m.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
In national parks, overnight stays need a wilderness permit and camping is often limited to designated sites. On most national forest and BLM land, dispersed camping is allowed.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Straight lines between stops Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. We don't have the exact trail for this route yet, so stops are joined with straight lines. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: North Rim → Phantom Ranch → Grand Canyon Village
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- Get the required permit, reservation or ticket. Popular dates sell out.
- Best time to go: May to October (North Rim open).
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Phoenix.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: May to October (North Rim open)
March to May
Spring
Pleasant temperatures and the best time for most desert hikes, though nights are cold.
Bring
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Warm layer for mornings
- Plenty of water
June to September
Summer
Dangerous heat, often above 40°C, and monsoon flash floods from July. Hike at dawn only.
Bring
- 4+ litres of water and electrolytes
- Check flash-flood forecasts
- Avoid midday hiking
October to February
Autumn and winter
Cool, clear and quieter. Snow and ice possible on higher rims.
Bring
- Warm layers
- Microspikes for icy rims
- Headlamp for short days
Be ready for
Heat
Start at dawn, rest in the shade at midday, and carry more water than you think. Electrolytes help.
Big climbs
Some days climb 1,000 m or more. Train with stairs and a loaded pack, and use trekking poles.
Long descents
Long downhills are harder on your knees than the climbs. Poles, well-laced boots and slow steps make a big difference.
What you'll see
5 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim
Photo credits: Canyon River Tree by Lennart Sikkema, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Phantomranch by Mhazhiker at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Dawn on the S rim of the Grand Canyon by Murray Foubister, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Inversion by Todd Diemer todd_diemer, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; Grand Canyon National Park Hiker Dormitories by Grand Canyon National Park, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
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